Cashmere jumper FAQs
How to wash cashmere
If washing your cashmere is causing your concern, we asked Steamery’s chief executive and cofounder, Frej Lewenhaupt, to share some words of wisdom. He recommends handwashing your cashmere due to “it being a more gentle process”. While you can wash your cashmere in the washing machine, “make sure to choose a gentle cycle suitable for wool garments and to use an enzyme-free laundry detergent that nourishes the cashmere wool.”
“If you get a stain on your cashmere garment, make sure to treat the stain directly and to use a gentle stain remover,” Lewenhaupt added. You can “treat just the stain with stain remover and lukewarm water and avoid washing the whole garment”.
How to dry cashmere
“When it comes to drying your cashmere garment the most gentle way is to let it air-dry on a flat surface, to prevent them from losing shape,” advised Lewenhaupt. He notes that you can “also put the garment on a towel and roll the garment into the towel to press out the water very gently”.
How much do cashmere sweaters cost?
Cashmere jumpers do tend to be more expensive than your standard chunky knit because of the type of wool that is used. The price can range anywhere between £80 upwards, depending on the brand. If you’re looking for a pocket-friendly option, our affordable pick is the M&S pure collection crew neck jumper (£79, Marksandspencer.com), which is an absolute steal, yet still high quality.
How to care for a cashmere jumper
Rather interestingly, Lewenhaupt notes that cashmere jumpers “require less care than you might think since they are naturally antibacterial”. So, it’s important to keep in mind that it shouldn’t be washed too often. “After using your garment, we recommend airing out your knitwear and spraying it with a fabric spray if needed. Steaming your knitwear will keep your garment fresh in between washes,” he adds.
If you notice lint and pilling on your items, we’d recommend using a debobbler – our personal favourite is the Steamery fabric shaver (Amazon.co.uk), which works wonders on knits. It extends the lifecycle of clothes and removes any unwanted lint, pilling, threads and fuzz.
Another important tip from Lewenhaupt is to store your cashmere jumpers folded because putting them on hangers will make them lose their shape.
How long do cashmere sweaters last?
“When investing in a cashmere sweater you get a very luxurious wool material with a silky feeling that is great for keeping you warm,” notes Lewenhaupt. While it’s difficult to say how long it will last, he notes that “if you take proper care of your cashmere sweaters – washing less, steaming in between washes, and removing piling with a debobbler – your cashmere garments will look great and last much longer”.
Cashmere vs merino wool: which is better?
Cashmere comes from goats and has a higher loft, which makes it softer than merino wool, which is derived from sheep. Another reason to opt for cashmere is that it can be warmer than merino. But, the downside is that it’s not quite as durable and as easy to care for. As for which is best, it’s down to personal preference, and both fabrics do give a slightly different look. Where cashmere lends itself to more sleek, elegant designs, merino wool is ideal for chunky knits.
The verdict: Women’s cashmere jumpers
Of course, all the knits here are worthy of a spot in your wardrobe but if you’re looking for a pop of colour as well as a high neck to keep you extra snuggly, you can’t go wrong with Me+Em’s cashmere cast-off jumper – we’ve been wearing it on repeat. If it’s something versatile, cosy and a little more pocket-friendly, Next’s cashmere jumper came up trumps.
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Looking for more winter wardrobe inspiration? Read our guide to the best women’s knitted jumpers